For FOSTEC Ventures, values are not merely a statement, but a way of working. As entrepreneur-investors with an evergreen approach, we focus our actions on the long-term development of a company, not on a holding period. This shapes how we make decisions, how we support our portfolio companies, and how we measure success.
Our philosophy
We see ourselves as partners who understand entrepreneurial risk from our own experience. For us, an investment begins with capital, but it does not end there. Because we invest without a predetermined holding period, we do not need to force growth simply to create an exit window. We can give a business model the time it needs to establish a sustainable competitive advantage. This long-term perspective is the foundation of our collaboration, not merely an afterthought.
How we work
Five principles shape the way we work with founders and portfolio companies:
- Partnership rather than a top-down approach: We listen before we shape the direction. Responsibility for the company remains with the founding team. We contribute our experience and recommendations for action, but we make decisions together.
- Implementation rather than strategy alone: A strategy only creates value once it is implemented. We support our portfolio companies beyond the strategy phase right through to operational implementation, because that is where value is created.
- Substance rather than speed for speed’s sake: We assess projects objectively and state our assumptions transparently. Where we see risks, we address them. A clear assessment is more important to us than a quick commitment.
- Integrity as a foundation: Trust is the prerequisite for any long-term collaboration. We stand for personal integrity, reliable agreements and open communication, even when things do not go to plan.
- Passion for our ventures: We work passionately on developing our ventures and take responsibility for the tasks that arise from them.
What this means for founders
For founders, this approach means having an investor who is accessible and involved during the crucial phases, and who makes a contribution where it really counts. To find out exactly what difference this makes for your business, please see Why FOSTEC Ventures. You can find the areas in which we actively support our portfolio companies under Core Competencies, and the principles underpinning our investment decisions under Investment Criteria.
